Drug addict knifepoint robber from Horsforth jailed

A Horsforth mother has been jailed for carrying out knifepoint robberies against female students.

Victoria Oddy was overpowered and caught by residents in Hyde Park when they spotted her threatening a woman with a ten inch blade.

The 27-year-old, of Regent Close, was sentenced to three years and 11 months at Leeds Crown Court this week after pleading guilty to two offences of robbery, attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

Oddy had a £300-a-day drug addiction when she committed the crimes in the Hyde Park area last June and July.

The court heard that her victims were left traumatised, with one still suffering from insomnia and anxiety.

She was caught on July 18 after she attacked a student walking home along Blenheim View.

Oddy held a knife to the woman’s throat but the blade snapped as the victim defended herself, and residents from a nearby house who had seen the incident ran to the scene and restrained the robber.

Narinder Rathour, mitigating, said Oddy was in fear of dealers at the time. Her father died of cancer in 2011 and shortly afterwards she discovered she was pregnant to a partner who later abducted her and held her prisoner.